timing help for a '50 shoebox

[Blu Dice]

I need a little help here - my '50 is still 6 volt positive, so my dwell tester will be hooked up how to test for dwell and RPM I no longer have the instructions but I had taped on the "green" "-" on coil and the other "ground" and was for my old T bucket - 12v neg. Also timing for the car is "2 BTDC" - well on my car there's no grove in the pully - there's a *** or bump - so 2 degrees would be how far to the left of the *** - right now I have it about a 1/4".
Thanks for your help.

 

[Paul/Seattle]

I'm pretty sure the bump on the pulley is 2degs. When checking the timing with a light be sure to disconnect the vacuum line attached to the distributor vacuum diaphragm.

 

[jdl]

The bump is 2* set it at 4* about 1/8" before the bump
hook up dwell tach one to ground one to dist side of coil, switch wires if needed. can't hurt anything.

 

[Blu Dice]

Thanks, but why at 4 degree instead of 2? Right now I'm set at 2 it's not running too good - hard to start, jumpy, jerky at 20-30 MPH, and loud crackle when I back off the gas. The vacuum gauge is between 15-17. points set at 15, plugs at 30, compression all at + / -90# except #5 is 68#. Just got home from a cruise-in, drives pretty good up over 50, and cruises real nice a 65, but let off the gas a cool crackle until about 40 then she starts acting like &%$#. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[BOSSY]

If it back fires when letting off the gas, richen up the carb mixture it is to lean.

 

[Dave72dt]

I'd want to start out knowing exactly where TDC is and adjust timing from that point. I'd also open the points to .018 and the plugs to .035. How does the engine sound when cranking it over? Very free or kicking back against the starter? Putting sound out the exhaust? I'm thinking the engine timing is retarded.

 

[Ol' Ron]

The biggest problem you have is, knowing if the Load a matic distributor is working properly. These distributors have no machanical advance and sepend on vacuum supplied by the special 94 carb. This information can only be supplied by a distributor machind with a variable vacuum supply. Or riding on the fender whine one of your friends drive dowm de road and you check timing under koad

 

[Blu Dice]

Dumb question here - retarded is which side of the ***?? Also I got a suggestion to adjust the fuel mixture that it may be too lean, well I backed off the screw 4 turns now and it's still poppy when I let off the gas. Thanks for everyones help.

 

[Russ/40]

Retarded is the left side of the ***. Meaning late since the rotation is clockwise.

 

[Dave72dt]

Dumb question here - retarded is which side of the ***?? Also I got a suggestion to adjust the fuel mixture that it may be too lean, well I backed off the screw 4 turns now and it's still poppy when I let off the gas. Thanks for everyones help.

That screw will only adjust the idle mixture. The accelerator pump will negate any effect it may have during the transition bewteen idle and main fuel circuits.

 

[Blu Dice]

So how do I adjust the carb if it's running too lean?

 

[Henry/Kokomo]

You may need to change jets to richen the mixture. I believe the stock jets were either .050" or .051". According to your avatar, you live in Plainfield. Bubba's Ignition in Speedway can check/repair your distributor, I'm sure. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Dave72dt]

Is that a two barrel carb or a single on that engine? Reason I asked is you mentioned "turning the screw" which I take to be 1 screw. two barrel has two mixture screw and should be adjusted roughly the same number of turns out. Carb richness at other than idle requires getting inside the carb. You can "cheat" for testing purposes only by pulling the choke oiut a little when you're having your problem.

Make sure everything else is right before delving into the carb.

 

[Blu Dice]

You may need to change jets to richen the mixture. I believe the stock jets were either .050" or .051". According to your avatar, you live in Plainfield. Bubba's Ignition in Speedway can check/repair your distributor, I'm sure. Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks - I got an Email from Jim already offering his help.

 

[Blu Dice]

Is that a two barrel carb or a single on that engine? Reason I asked is you mentioned "turning the screw" which I take to be 1 screw. two barrel has two mixture screw and should be adjusted roughly the same number of turns out. Carb richness at other than idle requires getting inside the carb. You can "cheat" for testing purposes only by pulling the choke oiut a little when you're having your problem.

Make sure everything else is right before delving into the carb.

Yes it's a 2 barrel and yes I found that out about the choke - Thanks

 

[Ed Pitts]

What are the spark plugs telling you? If you have not checked them, pull some out and check the color. If they are black, carb is running rich. Ideal is a light tan color. That's the way I check my tuning. Ed

 

[Blu Dice]

What are the spark plugs telling you? If you have not checked them, pull some out and check the color. If they are black, carb is running rich. Ideal is a light tan color. That's the way I check my tuning. Ed

They are black, Autolite 216, and I don't know how old they are. I bought the car a year ago. Have not changed the plugs, plug wires or distr cap, because it ran so good

 

[Blu Dice]

Well I've gotten alot advise, and even a great hot rod shop and HAMBER offer to tune it up right - Thank-you all. She's running pretty good right now. I was told by an old timer mechanic a long time ago - sometimes you have to let the car tell you what she likes - and that's how she's set right now until I can get her over to Bubbas - Thanks again.

 

[jdl]

Sonds like you have a good plan going, good luck to you.